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Ashes: 'We're behind Trotty' says England bowler Stuart Broad

Stuart Broad says the entire squad are behind Jonathan Trott who has left the Ashes tour with a stress-related illness.

Last Updated: 27/11/13 8:20am

Stuart Broad believes sledging is part of the game but thinks David Warner's criticism of Jonathan Trott was too much.

The Warwickshire batsman travelled back home shortly after the end of the first Test in a bid to overcome his illness.

And despite feeling disappointed at his teammate's departure, Broad believes the correct decision has been made.

Broad told Sky Sports: "It's heartbreaking to lose Trotty. He's been an integral part of the side for the last four or five years.

"He gave us a lot of solidity at the number three spot.

"But the most important thing for him at the moment is that he knows he's got the support of the changing room.

Privacy

"He's played 49 Tests, we're all behind him and he's got time at home and a bit of privacy to get himself right."

The Nottinghamshire fast bowler also played down the recent furore regarding the on-field spats that have taken place during the early weeks of the Ashes series.

Aussie skipper Michael Clarke has already been fined for comments directed at James Anderson, while the tourists were not impressed by David Warner's public remarks describing Trott's batting in Brisbane as "poor" and "weak."

However, Broad - speaking at the England camp at Alice Springs - added: "On the field I don't think a line has been crossed.

"We grow up and train ourselves to expect that. A few mistakes have been made off the field.

"We, as England players, pride ourselves on not commenting about the opposition because you never know what's going on in an opposition changing room or their lives, so we tend to stay away from that."

England's batting faltered alarmingly in the first Test as Mitchell Johnson's pace and bounce helped to bowl them out for 136 and then 179.

"It was really disappointing from our point of view," said Broad, who took six for 81 in Australia's first innings.

Buzzing

"We sat in the changing rooms after the first day, and everyone was buzzing.

"We stamped our authority in the way we wanted to, but to follow that up with three really poor days hurt the team."

Broad is confident nonetheless England can improve, as they must and often have after poor starts to recent tours.

He said: "If we judged the English cricket side on the first match of the series, we'd be the worst side in the world - because we don't have a good record in that.

"I can't put my finger on why, but it's something we need to improve.

"One thing is that we know we can get better throughout the series."

The second Test in Adelaide will be shown live on Sky Sports 2 HD from December 5.